# Parents raising their sons as daughters **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652 "2015-06-16T05:31:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/21 "2015-06-16T14:44:07Z")
> [@Double\_Foolscap](#): > > I wonder if this whole thing is going to end up being somebody making a point about forcing transgender kids to live as their assigned-at-birth gender? And whether **Rune** and **Clothahump** would support lynching (or even calling CPS) on such parents. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/22 "2015-06-16T14:49:04Z")
A good troll would have included things in the story like taping the kid’s junk back out of sight and making him wear a tampon up his ass. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/23 "2015-06-16T15:17:09Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My daughter took dance lessons when she was a kid. A few years of ballet and a year of tap. In her tap class was a little boy who was miserable. His parents wanted him to take tap dancing lessons because . . . something. Because tap dancing is [hardly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Hines) [an](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire) [unmasculine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savion_Glover) [activity](http://www.danielleveilledanse.org/)? Because a grounding in the arts, including dance, is important for everyone? Because sometimes we make kids do things they don’t want to do because we know it will be good for them? . ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/24 "2015-06-16T15:47:51Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Because tap dancing is [hardly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Hines) [an](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Astaire) [unmasculine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savion_Glover) [activity](http://www.danielleveilledanse.org/)? Because a grounding in the arts, including dance, is important for everyone? Because sometimes we make kids do things they don’t want to do because we know it will be good for them? > . Sure. But this kid was miserable. His parents dressed him up in a different cute little outfit each week; spangly bow ties, matador outfits, etc. The girls wore jeans or shorts according to weather. Maybe you had to be there. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/25 "2015-06-16T16:10:53Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It they keep going, the boy will grow up to be a chapter president of NOW. Yes, and he’ll claim to be [del]black[/del] female. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/26 "2015-06-16T16:20:00Z")
So, we can mostly agree that we should use sharp implements for gelding, and that we should build proper structures for hanging people. Lamp posts do not grow on trees. And of course, children should be smoked - low and slow over hardwood, 20 hours, at least. You’d want to use a rub, but no mops or injections - we are not savages. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/27 "2015-06-16T16:38:05Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Because sometimes we make kids do things they don’t want to do because we know it will be good for them? > . Exactly! Now off to Sunday School kiddies. It’s what’s best for you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/28 "2015-06-16T17:16:44Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Exactly! Now off to Sunday School kiddies. It’s what’s best for you. Monster! ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/29 "2015-06-16T17:18:19Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Assuming the story is as stated - cisboy being forced to live as a girl - that is abusive and damaging. I concur. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/30 "2015-06-16T17:38:25Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > A good troll would have included things in the story like taping the kid’s junk back out of sight and making him wear a tampon up his ass. Moderation in all things. Push it too far and even Prudie might get suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/31 "2015-06-16T17:41:35Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Well, sure. Some. > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by **not what you’d expect** > > Seriously. He must not have heard about the woman who cooked her baby to death in her microwave. > > Now if she had used a rotisserie, THAT would have been the worst abuse I can imagine. > > Also, delicious. > I’m gonna get banned, aren’t I? I dunno. My first thought after reading the post from **not what you’d expect** was, “And the family poodle is jealous!” (referring, of course, to the urban legend about the lady using the microwave to dry her poodle) ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/32 "2015-06-16T17:48:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sure. But this kid was miserable. His parents dressed him up in a different cute little outfit each week; spangly bow ties, matador outfits, etc. . Was his name [Leopold “Butters” Stotch](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/southpark/images/5/5d/SP_805.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111025162705)? My uncle took tap-dancing lessons because he had “flat feet” as a kid and the doctor said it would help him. I don’t know if it helped his feet, but as an adult, and my uncle became a burly blue-collar guy. He’s the lightest person on his feet that I know, and dances amazingly well. When he danced with his daughter at her wedding, it was truly lovely. So, dancing lessons can be great. Making someone who’s cis live as trans\* is just ridiculous and potentially abusive. ---
**Author:** ![Construct](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Construct](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Construct)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/33 "2015-06-16T18:42:30Z")
Doesn’t really bother me, because I know that [this kid is being raised to](https://twitter.com/DieVersityKills/status/420930835978915840) balance it all out. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/34 "2015-06-16T18:46:31Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > So, dancing lessons can be great. Making someone who’s cis live as trans\* is just ridiculous and potentially abusive. Yeah, classes are good. Forcing a social transition on the kid is also going to teach him a lesson: “My parents are assholes.” ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/35 "2015-06-16T18:56:04Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > In my day we had to abuse our children in cook pots over an open flame… and we liked it that way. Sounds like … a modest proposal. My son is in Synchronized Swimming. He got tired of just swimming back and forth and liked the discipline and style. The older girls appreciate his work ethic and dedication. He chose to do it while watching his sister participate. We don’t push them into an activity, but when they do it we make sure they follow through. It sounds more like the parents are just trolling for attention and this is a great way to get it. PS: andros, nice username/post combo. But you didn’t link to Gene Kelly or Donald O’Connor! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/36 "2015-06-16T20:11:14Z")
I don’t have much of a problem with parents signing their kid up for some extracurricular activity the kid doesn’t care for (after all that is going to be a lot of the extras the kid gets) - but on one hand the idea apparently is “we want to raise our child outside fixed gender roles”… and on the other “dancing is only for little girls in pink tutus”? ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/37 "2015-06-16T20:16:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sure. But this kid was miserable. His parents dressed him up in a different cute little outfit each week; spangly bow ties, matador outfits, etc. The girls wore jeans or shorts according to weather. > [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > Was his name [Leopold “Butters” Stotch](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/southpark/images/5/5d/SP_805.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111025162705)? I’m gonna go with John Benet Ramsay. Don’t go in the basement John! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/38 "2015-06-17T03:07:23Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Moderation in all things. Push it too far and even Prudie might get suspicious. Prudence has been around the block, and I’m sure she can spot a BS story. But she also knows it’ll lead to a lot of clicks if it’s at least remotely plausible. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/39 "2015-06-17T04:48:21Z")
I think I foresee the next David Reimer. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652/40 "2015-06-17T14:32:14Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My daughter took dance lessons when she was a kid. A few years of ballet and a year of tap. In her tap class was a little boy who was miserable. His parents wanted him to take tap dancing lessons because . . . something. . . . because they wanted him to know how to dance? It’s really no different in any way from making your kid take piano lessons. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-raising-their-sons-as-daughters/722652.md?page=3)